Have you ever bumped into someone with a dog who has a yellow ribbon tied to her leash or is wearing a yellow bandana? In all liklihood, that’s not just a fashion statement. There’s a movement afoot to alert folks of pooches who need a little more space through this simple universal alert system.

What it Means

When you see a dog with a bit of yellow on their leash or around their neck you should assume this pooch needs a little more space. Don’t walk right up and put your hand out, or let your doggie lean over for a polite sniff. For whatever reason the dog with the yellow may not repsond well. Isn’t this awesome? What a simple solution!

Horse lovers may know that a red ribbon tied to an equine’s tail is meant to convey this dude’s a kicker! Beware – stay back! Now dogs have their own first-alert system: the yellow ribbon. This isn’t just gaining ground here in the states, either, in 45 other countries worldwide they’re getting on board with this idea too!

Dog fans love it!

Click on the image below for your own printable version of this cute info sheet:

It’s hard to impress me when it comes to new items for our pets – but today’s news feed brought a new item to my attention I just HAVE to share with you all!

It’s called FurCode and it’s a new way to identify pets! This new system employs not a microchip, but but QR code technology!

Why is that AWESOME?

Because anyone with a smartphone can scan your lost pet’s ID! You don’t need a special scanner that usually only vets and animal control officers have.

Update Your Pet’s Info ANY Time!

Furcodes come in tag or collar designs

So when your dog or kitty, or pony or goat goes for a wander, when they’re wearing their FurCode ID anybody who can read a smart code (with their iPhone or Android or iPad or what have you) can find out who they’ve just bumped into. The great thing here is they’ll be taken to a website where they can get your contact info and get int touch that second!

Oh, I know, dogs wearing an engraved tag with your phone number on it are all set too – but research shows MANY of these are out of date – have old numbers on them. Numbers where you can no longer be reached! With this new system you can update your info by logging into the website and doing so ANY time! You can update reward info, contact info, medical conditions, whatever you want to share with someone who might find your lost pet.

Not Spendy

And you know what? These tags don’t even cost all that much. They’re only about 8 bucks right now. Even less per each when you buy multiples.

It’s Cold!

A good dog shelter doesn’t have to be a grand mansion!

Different dogs handle different weather, well, differently! If you keep your pets in the house then you don’t have too much to worry about when the weather outside turns bitter cold. But if you have outdoor dogs, dogs who stay out in the cold for long periods (an hour or more) then it’s up to you to ensure that they have warm shelter.

There are many ways to create such a space.

Here are some important factors to pay attention to:

Away from the Wind

Stays Dry

Allows access to fresh unfrozen water

Possibly has a heating pad or heating light – caution must be exercised with these because the last thing we want is for a chewing pooch to bite through an electric bad and electrocute herself!

If it was sleeting and the wind was blowing I think even Snoopy would use that little house of his!

Like Snoopy who laid on top of his dog house, not all dogs are going to use what you provide all the time. Some may not even use it ever! Or at least not when you can see. But you should take care to provide shelter, especially for the worst days, even for so called weather toughened dogs.

Though you may not necessarily see it, if they’re fighting staying warm their immune system can become compromised through sheer overwork which may lay them open for all sorts of illnesses.

Suggested Warm Solutions:

Covered Porch

Dog Igloo

Barn

Shed

Heated Water Dish or Bucket

Protected Heat Lamp (avoid accidental burning)

Protected Heated Pad (avoid accidental chewing!)

Blankets

Straw

Make it Budget Friendly

The goal here isn’t to see how money you can spend setting up a warm spot for your outdoor dog(s) but how you can find ways to offer workable solutions that get the job done! For some this is going to be a dog door straight into the house, for others it might be an igloo by the deck with a heated pad under the flooring where the canine can’t accidentally chomp into it. For others lucky enough to have an out building like a garage, barn or a shed a pile of straw and access to it may be perfectly fine!

How do you determine how weather proof your dog is?

Hale and Hearty – but even she needs shelter when it’s cold and rainy

The Breed

Some dogs have thick almost oily fur that helps them resist water getting down onto their skin. While others have very thin fine fur that just looks insufficiently cozy.

Accustomed

Some dogs are outside a lot and have become largely accustomed to both the weather or to locating places they know they can stay comfortable in bad weather. Here in Kentucky you see a fair amount of Great Pyrenees living out in a pasture full of sheep. These guys can cope with a whole lot more inclement weather than the average house kept hound. But even they need shelter from time to time and of course unfrozen water.

Size

Little dogs, by volume, are less able to cope with biter temperatures than larger dogs. Their extremities can chill up and head towards frostbite quickly. Think of some of those paper thin ears on some toy breeds and I start getting the chills immediately! Coats help for quick walks and temporary exposure – but to be kept truly comfortable a dog needs a cozy cabin to snuggle up into.

Shelter!

With shelter just about any dog can survive comfortably outside in cold weather. Even the littles know how to stay warm when they have ways to do so.

Yes, I know, it is actually winter, but the fact that it feels more like fall is a treat! Here at Pet Companions Country Inn, the dog’s are thoroughly enjoying there elongated play times, with this incredible, wonderful, warm weather.
We also have two sweet rescues. One is a Weimy and the other is a lab mix, you can check them out on our facebook page. I hope everyone is getting to enjoy the great outdoors and we look forward to seeing you in the future!

Well, it seems this may very well be the last week of exceptionally warm weather. It is going to be such a splendid week, I think

I will try to fit some rides in with some friends that I have missed over the summer.! The colors on my farm are beautiful. Every morning when I get up before the sun rises, I get to see the tremendous colors rise up in the sky. Nature is such an amazing phenomenon. I wish I could just be still in the mornings, and watch it all transpire. It has also always’ amazed me how early the birds wake up and start their harmonious song’s! I hope everyone can take advantage of at least a part of this week and soak in some of it’s radiant energy!